Toilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue

ABSTRACT

Toilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue products ( 10 ) are presented. Information may be placed, through printing or embossing, on the toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues. The information ( 62 ) may comprise advertisements, coupons, prizes (such as stickers and crossword puzzles), games or other promotional materials. In addition, information ( 62 ) may be placed on a sheet separate from the toilet paper and/or paper towels and/or facial tissues. The information sheet may be then be placed in conjunction with the toilet paper, paper towel or facial tissue by rolling or by interleaving ( 16 ) the information sheet with the toilet paper, paper towel or facial tissue. In another aspect, different information may be place on two or more sheets to convey a story ( 39 ) or other information. The information ( 72 ) may, for example, be used to help potty train children, or to teach children numbers or the alphabet.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority benefits to U.S. provisionalapplication Serial No. 60/241,196, filed on Oct. 17, 2000. Thisapplication hereby incorporates by reference, in its entirety, U.S.provisional application Serial No. 60/241,196, filed on Oct. 17, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to materially modified and enhancedtoilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue products based on specificinformation (as described below) or materials used on or in combinationwith toilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue products.

[0003] Toilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue products are, bydesign, utilitarian in nature. The purposes for these products areobvious, and the advancements in the toilet paper, paper towel andfacial tissue product arts have been limited to their utilitarianpurposes. For instance, the focus of much of the advancements in toiletpaper arts have been in the area of increased softness (e.g., quilting,two-ply, etc.) for a more pleasant feel against one's skin or in thearea of pleasing appearance (designs printed or embossed on the toiletpaper). Likewise, the advancements in the paper towel product arts havebeen limited to its utilitarian purposes such as increased durability,softness, or pleasing appearance.

[0004] However, toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissue have amyriad of uses that have not been fully exploited by the prior art. Oneexample is in the area of toilet training. It is a difficult task totrain a child to stop relying on diapers, and to begin using the toilet.One manner in which to ease the transition during toilet training is totailor the design of the toilet paper for a child. However, the toiletpaper in the prior art does not address this specific need. Anotherexample is the potential informational or educational aspects associatedwith toilet paper/paper towels. Toilet paper in the prior art have nottaken advantage of the tremendous opportunity in conveying informationor educating people while they are in the process of using toilet paper.Likewise, paper towels have a variety of information and educationaluses which have not been exploited by prior art paper towels. Moreover,many applications for facial tissues have not been fully utilized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, information is placed, throughprinting or embossing, on the toilet paper and/or paper towels and/orfacial tissues. The information may comprise advertisements, coupons,prizes (such as stickers and crossword puzzles), games or otherpromotional materials.

[0006] In another aspect of the invention, information is placed inconjunction with toilet paper and/or paper towels and/or facial tissues.In one embodiment, the information is placed on a sheet separate fromthe toilet paper and/or paper towels and/or facial tissues. Theinformation sheet is then placed in conjunction with the toilet paperand/or paper towel by rolling the information sheet with the toiletpaper and/or paper towel. The information may comprise indicia such asadvertisements, coupons, prizes (such as stickers and crosswordpuzzles), games or other promotional materials.

[0007] In a second embodiment, the information is placed on a sheetseparate from the toilet paper and/or paper towels and/or facialtissues. The information sheet is then interleaved with the toilet paperand/or paper towels and/or facial tissues so that upon dispensingsheet(s), an information sheet(s) is also dispensed.

[0008] In another embodiment, different information is placed on two ormore sheets to convey a story or other information. The information may,for example, be used to help potty train children, or to teach childrennumbers or the alphabet.

[0009] In another embodiment, information is placed every so many sheetsto indicate to a child when to tear the toilet paper.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a roll of toilet paper comprisescutouts. The cutouts may be used to help reinforce a learning messageprovided by the sheets of paper. The cutouts may, for example, befigures, numbers, letters, or coupons, advertising or any otherinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll of toilet paper or papertowels of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top view of a plurality of sheets of toilet paper orpaper towels.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toilet paper or paper towelsincorporating yet a further aspect of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is an expanded cross-sectional view of still another aspectof the invention, which utilizes interleaving sheets of paper.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a more specific example of the invention shown in FIG.4.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another aspect of the inventionfor conveying information, including information for potty training.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another aspect of theinvention geared to number training.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another aspect of the inventiongeared to letter training.

[0019]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another aspect of the inventiongeared to potty training.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another aspect of the inventiondirected to potty training.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in accordance with one aspect ofthe invention of coupon insertion.

[0022]FIG. 12a is a perspective view in accordance with one aspect ofthe present invention of a spool incorporating cutouts. FIG. 12b is aperspective view of the cutouts of FIG. 12a.

[0023]FIG. 13a is a perspective view in accordance with another aspectof the present invention of a spool incorporating cutouts. FIG. 13b is aperspective view of the cutouts of FIG. 13a.

[0024]FIGS. 14a and 14 b provide a perspective view of yet anotherembodiment of the present invention of a spool incorporating cutouts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Toilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue products have avariety of uses beyond what has been exploited by the prior art.Specifically, toilet paper, paper towel products and facial tissues maybe used for conveying information for educational, personal,entertainment and commercial purposes, and such other purposes thatencourage certain behavior or simply advance the distribution ofinformation. All of which are uses that extend beyond the utilitariannature of toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues.

[0026] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed by reference to the accompanying figures, wherein likeelements are referred to by like numerals. Paper, such as facial tissue,toilet paper or paper towels, may come in a variety of forms for a papersupply, such as in the form of a roll, a stack, etc. Referring to FIG.1, there is shown a perspective view of a roll of toilet paper, papertowel, or facial tissue 10 of the present invention. Alternatively, thetoilet paper, paper towel, or facial tissue 10 may be in the form ofsheets stacked on top of one another.

[0027] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the toilet paper 10 istwo-sided. On one side, there is information as shown in the figure. Forexample, the manufacturer of a brand of toilet paper may wish toincrease brand identification by printing or embossing the toiletpaper's trade name on each of the sheets of toilet paper. In thismanner, information in the form of indicia may be conveyed to the toilerpaper user. One method for embossing on the toilet paper is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,253,394, which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

[0028] Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a top view of a pluralityof sheets of toilet paper. Each sheet has information thereon. Theinformation may have similar information on each sheet (i.e., a similarpattern on each sheet). Alternatively, the sheets may comprise differentpatterns thereon. For example, there may be 4 different patterns thatrepeat every fourth sheet. A further embodiment may comprise informationthat extends over more than one sheet. As a result, a story or a seriesof other informational directions may be conveyed over a plurality ofsheets to be described in more detail below. The means by whichinformation is placed on the toilet paper may include embossing,printing, or other conventional means used in the printing or paperarts.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of thetoilet paper, paper towel, or facial tissue incorporating yet a furtheraspect of the invention. The toilet paper comprises at least twodistinct sheets 12, 14 wherein the upper sheet 12 is separable from thelower sheet 14. On the upper sheet 12 is information. The informationmay comprise stories, descriptions, trivia, games, crossword puzzles,symbols. This information may be in the form of advertisements, coupons,or other promotional materials. The information may further comprisegames or prizes, such as stickers and crossword puzzles. The informationmay be removed by the toilet paper user for later use. Alternatively, asshown by the dotted line, a center sheet 16 may also be included so thatthe toilet paper used by the consumer will be two-ply in nature. Asbefore, the upper sheet may then be torn off for use as a coupon or forother advertising purposes.

[0030] In still an alternate embodiment, the information may beincorporated as “inserts” within the roll of the toilet paper such thatwhen the roll is dispensed, the inserts are likewise dispensed on acontinual feed or interspersed basis. These inserts may compriseadvertisements, coupons, or other promotional materials. The inserts mayfurther comprise games or prizes, such as stickers and crosswordpuzzles. The inserts may be manufactured with a coating (e.g., plasticcoating) in order to maintain proper hygiene.

[0031] When the user removes paper from the roll, a coupon or prize maylikewise be dispensed. The coupon or prize information, in oneembodiment, is held within the paper product by being sandwiched betweensheets of paper (either in roll form or in stackable paper form). In oneembodiment wherein the inserts are interspersed within a roll of toiletpaper, the inserts are preferably distributed within the roll such thatthe roll has a uniform diameter (i.e., the inserts may be placed withinthe roll, spaced apart by a predetermined number of sheets of paper).Otherwise, the inserts may cause the roll to be lopsided. Thisdispersing may be done in a randomized manner such that the diameter ofthe paper roll is, on average, uniform. In another embodiment, thecoupons or prizes or any such other insert may be placed on a continuoussheet that is placed in conjunction with the rolls of toilet paper.Thus, during manufacturing, as the toilet paper is rolled onto theparent spool (spool containing the final product), a separate continuoussheet housing the inserts is likewise rolled with the toilet paper suchthat the inserts are placed therein and the diameter of the paper rollis uniform. Spacing of the inserts can occur either in a randomizedfashion, though placed at such distances to ensure a uniform diameter,or may be placed after a predetermined number of sheets (e.g., afterevery fourth sheet) in order to assist the young user to recognize theappropriate time to tear off the sheet.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an expanded cross-sectionalview of still another aspect of the invention that utilizes interleavingsheets 16 rather than rolled sheets of paper. Disposed between theinterleaved sheets is a separate and distinct sheet 18 which may includeinformation. As before, the information may comprise advertisements,coupons, or other promotional materials as well as games or prizes, suchas stickers and crossword puzzles. In operation, a sheet of toilet paper16 is removed from the stack whereupon the separate and distinct sheet18 is removed as well. In this manner, for each dispense of a sheet, oneadditional sheet is dispensed.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a more specific example ofthe invention shown in FIG. 4. The sheet of toilet paper 24 compriseslips 20 that in turn are coupled to opposing lips 22 on the informationsheet 26. Similarly, opposing lips 22 on the information sheet 26 arecoupled to lips 20 on the next toilet paper sheet 24. As a result, whenthe user pulls on one toilet paper sheet, the user is provided with aninformation sheet. This process may then be repeated in order to obtainmore sheets.

[0034] The invention can be directed to educational needs of children.Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown one means for potty trainingchildren. Specifically, the toilet paper may be patterned such that aplurality of sheets describe or pictorially illustrate a story to helpenable a child to properly be potty trained. The story set is such theat least two sheets comprise different information.

[0035] As an example of a given story set 39, in sheet 40, a toilet isshown. In sheet 42, a child sitting on the toilet is shown. In sheet 44,the toilet paper is rolled after the child uses the toilet. In sheet 46,the toilet is shown being flushed. Finally, in sheet 48, a sink is shownwith soap for teaching the need to wash one's hands after using thetoilet. Sheets 40 through 48 may then repeat thereafter until completionof the roll. As a result, a story set 39 may be provided over two ormore sheets of paper.

[0036] Of course, other story sets 39 are contemplated by the presentinvention. The story set may comprise a pictorial story or written storythat would be of interest to children (or adults for that matter) andwould repeat thereafter until completion of the roll. Alternatively, theroll of toilet paper could comprise a plurality of different story sets39, the given different story sets 39 repeating until the end of theroll.

[0037] The sets 39 may, for example, comprise stories of interest tochildren, historical information or other education information,including trivia information. Of course, the information may be ofinterest to adults and/or geared to adults. Further, the sets 39 mayinclude a series of advertising information, coupons, or other publicityinformation geared to consumers. Preferably, the sets 39 comprise morethan two sheets of different information thereon but less than areasonable number of sheets having different information thereon torelay a given series of information for ease of manufacturing.

[0038] The sets 39 of information may be targeted to given audiences.For example, toilet paper at a sports stadium may be geared toindividuals who attend such activities. Toilet paper at a shopping mallutilizing the present invention may have sets 39 of information gearedto relevant consumers at the shopping mall. Toilet paper at a restaurantmay have sets 39 of information directed to the restaurant, whether itis menu information, coupon information, or other advertisinginformation.

[0039]FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate further examples of the educational valuethat toilet paper may have in accordance with the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 7, the sheets may contain a sequence of numbers, onenumber per each given sheet 50 of paper. The numbers may, for example,repeat every ten numbers teaching children how to count to ten whilefurther interesting them while using the restroom. Similarly, as shownin FIG. 8, the sheets 52 may contain letters of the alphabet, one letterper each given sheet 52 of paper. The letters could, for example, repeatfrom letter “A” to letter “Z”. Of course, the sheet sets 39 may compriseone set of number sheets 50 alternated with one set of letter sheets 52,repeating until the end of the roll.

[0040]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate additional examples of the educationvalue that toilet paper may have in accordance with the presentinvention for teaching children to apply the proper amount of toiletpaper when using the restroom. Referring specifically to FIG. 9, thereis shown a plurality of sheets 60 having a series of indicia 62 thereonevery given number of sheets 60. A parent may then teach a child to pullthe toilet paper every time the indicia 62 appears in order to utilizethe proper amount of toilet paper per given wiping. The indicia mayinclude advertisements, coupons, prizes (such as stickers and crosswordpuzzles), games or other promotional materials. The indicia may furtherbe any design such as a geometric figure (circle, square, triangle,rectangle, etc.), a cartoon character, or any other figure or design ofinterest to children. Of course, the indicia 62 may be of one or aplurality of colors to interest a child in the potty training process.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternate embodimentfor teaching children how to use the proper amount of toilet paper whenusing the restroom. The indicia 72 may run across the lower side 73 of agiven sheet 70 of paper. The indicia 72 may, for example, comprise aband of a given color indicating to the child that it is the appropriatetime to tear the toilet paper. The indicia 72 as before would repeatevery given or predetermined number of sheets 70. Alternatively, theindicia may comprise the upper portion 74 of the sheet 70 or the totalportion of a given sheet.

[0042] As one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate, prizes orother inserts (e.g., coupons) may be incorporated with a given sheet set39 as described in connection with FIG. 6. Preferably, the prize isprovided with the last sheet of a given sheet set 39. For example, atthe end of the story or a given sheet set 39, a prize may be includedbetween the two plies of toilet paper as noted above. Alternatively, theprize or other inserts may be wrapped with a given roll of toilet paperhaving sheet sets 39 of information and prizes are provided betweenlayers and appear as the user pulls the toilet roll. Preferably, theprizes or inserts are placed at the end of the information sheet set 39.As before, the prizes or inserts are preferably plastic coated, or arewrapped in plastic, to allow the user to wash them prior to use.

[0043] The incorporation of the prizes with the toilet paper may beperformed by feeding 2 spools together into parent spool, with one spoolbeing the toilet paper and the second spool being the prize, as shown inFIG. 11. The two spools 76, 77 are integrated using idler rolls 78, 79so that the integration of the spools would be continuous; however, thespacing of the prizes would be either continuous or interspersed. Ifinterspersed, the prizes would be placed at predetermined intervals(e.g., every third sheet) to assist child to know proper time to tearpaper from roll.

[0044] Now referring to FIG. 12, there is shown another aspect of theinvention geared to using the spool 80 to convey information and/orprovide toys or games. The spool 80 may comprise at least one cutoutfigure. Shown in FIG. 12a are four cutout figures 82, 84, 86, 88 withinthe spool 80. FIG. 12b shows the removed cutout figures 82, 84, 86, 88.The cutouts may be a design of interest to children why potty trainingsuch as a star 82 or a teddy bear 86. Children being potty trained maycollect such cutout figures. By completing a roll of toilet paper, theyhave an end prize of the cutout figure.

[0045] The spool 80 may appropriately be lined on the inner side with anadhesive layer, not shown, and a release backing thereon as is commonlyused in the label industry. The user may then cutout the prize, removethe backing thereon, and apply the prize (e.g., star, bear) to a boardnot shown in order to reinforce the child and the potty trainingprocess. Similarly, the stickers described earlier may also be appliedto a board. The child will then be impressed with his/her efforts byseeing all of the prizes on the board.

[0046] The cutout figures may also represent examples of what waslearned when pulling the toilet paper. For example, utilizing theaspects illustrated in FIG. 7, a child may learn the numbers one throughten. The roll 80 could provide cutout figures embodying numbers such as84, reinforcing the learning process. Similarly, utilizing the aspectsillustrated in FIG. 8, a child may learn the alphabet. The roll 80 couldprovide cutout figures embodying letters such as 88, reinforcing thelearning process.

[0047] The cutout figures may also represent a game. For example,referring now to FIG. 13a, there is shown a spool 80 having atic-tac-toe board cutout 90, an “X” 92 (only one shown), and an “O” 94(only one shown). Referring also to FIG. 13b, the board cutout 90, the“X” 92 and the “O” 94 are shown. As a result, one can utilize the spool80 to either reinforce information provide on the toilet paper orprovide game activity for children.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown another aspect of theinvention related to utilizing the spool 80 for advertising purposes. Acoupon or any other information 100 may be imprinted on the spool 80. Asshown in FIG. 14a, the spool further comprises a tear line 102 to allowthe user to neatly utilize the coupon or information 100.

[0049] Referring also to FIG. 14b, there may be more than one couponprovided on the spool 80. Specifically there are shown two coupons orother information 102, 104 although any number of coupons may beprovided. As before there may be a tear line 102. There may also be atear line 106 between each of the coupons 102, 104 to allow for propertearing.

[0050] The toilet paper may comprise advertising or other informationregarding a product. Coupons 100, 102, 104 may be provided at the end ofthe roll to promote a given product or provide information to theconsumer.

[0051] Although the spools contemplated by this invention may be made ofpaper as is generally used in the industry, the spool may be made oflight-weight plastic of a kind allowing the user to easily tear thecoupons 100 or cutout figures (e.g., 82, 84, 86, 88, 90) at the tearline for sanitary purposes (i.e., allowing the consumer to wash thecoupons or figures with soap and water before use). Alternatively, thespool may be paper coated in plastic for sanitary purposes as well.

[0052] Although the present invention was generally described inrelation to toilet paper, it may also apply to paper towels and facialtissues, whether in rolled or interleaved format.

[0053] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description beregarded as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is understoodthat the following claims, including all equivalents, are intended todefine the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper supply comprising at least two sheets andan additional sheet containing indicia, the additional sheet disposedbetween said at least two sheets.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein afirst sheet is disposed facing one side of said additional sheet and asecond sheet is disposed facing an opposing side of said additionalsheet.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said one of a coupon,advertisement, and prize comprises a third sheet disposed between saidfirst sheet and said second sheet.
 4. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid one of a coupon, advertisement, and prize is disposed ininterleaved relation between said at least two sheets.
 5. The inventionof claim 1 wherein said one of a coupon, advertisement, and prize isdisposed in interwoved relation between said at least two sheets.
 6. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein the paper supply comprises a paper roll. 7.The invention of claim 1 wherein the paper supply comprises a stack ofsheets.
 8. A paper supply comprising at least two sheets of paperwherein said at least two sheets comprise different patterns.
 9. Theinvention of claim 8 wherein said patterns of said at least two sheetsrepeat at least once.
 10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said patternscomprise one of drawings and characters for educating a user of saidpaper roll.
 11. The invention of claim 10 wherein said patterns comprisedrawings for educating a user to use a toilet.
 12. The invention ofclaim 11 wherein said patterns further comprise drawings for educatingsaid user to wash its hands after using the toilet.
 13. The invention ofclaim 8 wherein said patterns comprise one of numbers and letters. 14.The invention of claim 8 wherein said patterns convey a story.
 15. Apaper roll comprising: a first sheet having a first indicia thereon; asecond sheet adjacent said first sheet not having said first indiciathereon; and a third sheet downstream from said second sheet comprisingsaid first indicia thereon.
 16. The invention of claim 15 wherein thereis at least one sheet between said second and said third sheet.
 17. Theinvention of claim 16 wherein said indicia indicates to a user when totear off an appropriate amount of sheets when teaching said user to usea toilet.
 18. A paper spool for use with a paper roll comprising atleast one cutout containing perforations around said cutout for removingsaid cutout from said spool.
 19. The invention of claim 18 wherein saidcutout comprises one of a letter, number, and figure.
 20. The inventionof claim 18 wherein said cutout comprises a game.
 21. The invention ofclaim 20 wherein said game comprises tic-tac-toe.
 22. The invention ofclaim 18 wherein said cutout comprises one of a coupon, advertisement,and prize.
 23. A paper roll comprising: a spool; and at least two sheetsof paper wrapped around said spool; wherein said spool comprises atleast one cutout containing perforations around said cutout for removingsaid cutout from said spool.
 24. The invention of claim 23 wherein saidat least two sheets comprise different patterns.
 25. The invention ofclaim 24 wherein said patterns of said at least two sheets repeat atleast once.
 26. The invention of claim 25 wherein said patterns compriseone of drawings and characters for educating a user of said paper roll.27. The invention of claim 26 wherein said patterns comprise drawingsfor educating a user to use a toilet.
 28. The invention of claim 27wherein said patterns further comprise drawings for educating said userto wash its hands after using the toilet.
 29. The invention of claim 25wherein said patterns comprise one of numbers and letters.
 30. Theinvention of claim 24 wherein said patterns convey a story.
 31. Theinvention of claim 30 wherein said cutouts reinforce informationprovided in said at least two sheets.